August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean features the potent power of Aunt Ester, Wilson’s gatekeeper to spiritual matters, and the hearts of the Hill residents she loves. When Aunt Ester opens her home at 1839 Wylie Avenue to the troubled Citizen Barlow, a recent migrant from the rural South, a battle ensues not only within Citizen, who begs Aunt Ester to “wash his soul,” but also between Citizen and Caesar Wilks, a stern man of the law, threatened by Citizen’s independence and defiance of his authority. As Solly Two Kings becomes a mentor for Citizen and a model of a man, bound by nothing but freedom, Citizen must choose a past steeped in fear, or a future made glorious with destiny and purpose.

“It feels that Ester could, if she wanted, snap her fingers and detach the room from its soil and send it sailing into the sky…fantastic, unbelievable, and affecting.”
– Alex Gordon, City Paper

We will perform August Wilson’s masterwork outdoors at the actual location given in the play for 285-year-old Aunt Ester’s home, 1839 Wylie Avenue.

“There is something otherworldly and enchanting in seeing Wilson’s fictional house, with its historically-rich characters and conflicts, conjured into existence on the very site he dreamed it.”
– W. Arons, Pittsburgh Tatler

Help Us Meet the Challenge!

When we took on the challenge of presenting Gem of the Ocean at the actual street address August Wilson gave in his play, we had no idea how difficult a site it would turn out to be!

Creating a stage on a sloping grass field had already made this the most complex stage construction our theatre company had ever attempted. But when we tried to anchor the supports for the stage, we found brick and concrete under the grass and earth.

We think these may be the remains of St. Brigid’s, a church demolished in the 1960s which August Wilson actually attended as a child! This unexpected additional link to Mr. Wilson’s history inspired us. But it also delayed our stage construction, and added considerable unbudgeted expenses, forcing us to rapidly modify our construction plans.

Ticket prices are not enough to cover the cost of this production. Now we need your help. Please donate what you can. Thank you!

An Outdoor Production

This production is outside. Please bring suitable clothing and gear to handle a brief light rain or lower evening temperatures.

If the forecast is bad, we may need to cancel a performance. In that case, we’ll send out an email to all ticketed patrons for that evening by 5:30 PM. Affected patrons may switch to any other performance, or receive a full refund.

If a storm forces us to cancel mid-performance, patrons may return to any other performance, or receive a full refund.

We also permit patrons to switch to a different performance with available seats at any time, and only pay the difference in ticket price (if any).

Watch the cast in a brief scene on Pittsburgh Today Live

Next From Pittsburgh Playwrights

RHAPSODY IN BLACK

Written and Performed
By LeLand GanttDirectorial Consultant Estelle Parsons

One night only: November 15th 2019
Presented at the August Wilson Center

Join us for one night only as we present LeLand Gantt’s acclaimed solo show Rhapsody in Black at the August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Avenue.

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company is committed to developing and showcasing the works of local playwrights; from accomplished masters like August Wilson and George S. Kaufman to promising new talents.